Desktop Publishing Workshop

The purpose of this posting is to acquaint you with the use of standard design and layout to help you build a model for your magazine/newsletter.

To build a good model we need to consider:
• Format (the publication’s size and shape);
• Grid (the underlying organization);
• Style sheet (rules for typography);
• Graphic style (color palette, graphic elements, photographs);
• Nameplate (title).

Format:
Print Publications formats are based on a standard paper sheet size, either folded, bound, or saddle-stitched. Examples:
• 11 x 17 sheet double-fold (either 4 or 8 page newsletter)
• 8 ½ x 11 magazine in signatures (groups of 8 pages)

Decisions made about format affect the cost of copy and delivery.

Grids:

The grid scheme determines the number of columns per page and where important design
elements will be placed – providing the newsletter with an organizational structure.
When selecting the grid, remember that the human eye is most comfortable taking in 35
to 45 characters in a single line of type. This often rules out using a one-column grid,
unless the newsletter page is small (such as an 8 ½ x 11 inch sheet folded in half).
Many variations can be made based upon the grid (sample provided)

Style sheet:
The style sheet has the most influence on how easy or difficult it is to read the newsletter.
A well thought out set of rules governing typography can make reading your newsletter
both easy and enjoyable.

Ease of reading is especially important if there is a lot of text. Balance is achieved by making use of graphic elements such as photographs, rules, borders, drop caps, pull quotes, and similar visual elements to make the magazine appealing to the eye.

• Typeface considerations - use serif family of fonts (Times New Roman,
Century Schoolbook) for the body of the of the text for enhanced readability; use sans serif family offonts (Arial, Helvetica, Verdana) for the headlines. Save specialty fonts for
artistic elements (ads, banners, special type treatments).

• Typeface size – All articles (body of text) should use the same size font. 12-point
size font if preferred. (Type and print layouts are measured in points and picas. There are 12 points to a pica.

• Margins – center your publication using consistent margin measurements.

Graphic style:
Graphic elements need to be consistent. This is especially true for any which repeat page
to page, such as rules, folios, borders, or drop caps.


Important Vocabulary:

Byline: the story’s writer, appearing at the top of an article.

Deck: Also known as a "standing head. "This is where the title of a recurring feature column appears." Design it to be distinctive and to graphically portray your publication style. Use a box, screen tint, color band, white space or other visual element to set the headline off. Once set in place, the location and size of the standing head should not change. "Deck" can also refer to a subhead above a headline that describes or pulls the reader into the article.

Gutter: the space between columns of text in a page layout.

Leading: the space between lines of type. Expressed in points, to include the point size of
the type plus the space to the next line.

Masthead: The list of staff, owners, and subscription information for a periodical.

Nameplate: the title area on the front page of a publication. Also known as banner or flag.
Rule: a line. Rules are used as decorative as well as functional elements to separate,
offset or anchor areas of a page. Rules can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. A downrule
is a vertical rule placed between columns of text, and is used to provide greater visual
separation between columns.

Sidebar: a story accompanying the main story that gives additional details or highlights a
perspective.